EFP Overview
Explosively formed penetrators (EFPs) are a type of improvised explosive device that are highly dangerous. They are dangerous because they maintain their shape after they have been detonated, even over 100 yards or more.
They travel quickly, at over almost a mile per second.
Because these weapons can travel a long distance and maintain their shape, they can be hidden far away from their target and can be hidden.
A range of improvised explosive devices were used in the Iraq War, and the New York Times notes that IEDs, including EFPs, caused over 80 percent of coalition casualties.
Legal Issue
The New York Times called EFPs the “single most lethal weapon” faced by American forces in the Iraq War.
The Military Times notes that investigations of explosions after they occurred indicated that many of the weapons were made in Iran, prompting investigation into Iran’s involvement in the Iraq War.
Reportedly, EFPs and other improvised explosive devices that were used against American troops in the Iraq war were made in Iran. Furthermore, foreign banks in other countries may have financially supported the creation of these weapons in Iran.
This is a legal issue because there are sanctions preventing other countries from sponsoring terrorism or engaging in it.
These sanctions reportedly restricted Iran’s capacity to obtain funds necessary to create weapons. However, with the assistance of foreign banks, Iran was allegedly able to do this.
The New York Times says that Iran gave technology to make EFPs to the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, which passed the kits to make the explosives to groups fighting in Iraq. Reportedly, the kits were assembled just before they were used.
Many American troops were injured or killed by EFPs in Iraq, that were possibly sponsored by Iran.
Lawsuits Filed
The United Nations website notes that U.S. federal law protects individuals with protections against terrorism — victims of terrorism can sue against state sponsors of terrorism.
This means that people who were injured or who had loved ones injured by an IED or an EFP can file lawsuits against countries who helped fund Iran’s support of weapons used in the Iraq War.
Under federal law, victims and families can sue and possibly receive compensation for the injury suffered because of an EFP attack.
Banks around the world have already pled guilty and reached settlements with the United States for allegedly helping fund Iran’s involvement in the Iraq War. Allegedly, these banks included HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays, Commerzbank, Credit Suisse, Bank Saderat and Royal Bank of Scotland, N.V.
Military Times notes that there have already been lawsuits filed by individuals against foreign governments for their alleged involvement in terrorism.
The family members of a soldier killed by an explosive in Iraq seek $10 million in damages from Iran, says Military Times. The new source goes on to describe a number of other EFP and IED lawsuits filed over similar cases.
